The invention concerns an insole comprising a substrate and a printed layer, wherein the substrate comprises a first friction coefficient on a reference surface and the printed layer comprises a second friction coefficient on the reference surface, which is higher than the first friction coefficient.

The present invention provides a sole contact body for footwear such as a shoe, an athletic shoe, or a sandal. The sole contact body comprises a raised part which is configured to contact each of the second, third and fourth toes to lift the metatarsophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joint positions thereof, and which is configured to fit between the first and fifth toes so as not to lift the first and fifth toes throughout the entire lengths thereof. The raised part is configured to have a first toe-side stepped surface that touches the side of the first toe closer to the tip of the first toe than the metatarsophalangeal joint position thereof, and a fifth toe-side stepped surface that touches the side of the fifth toe closer to the tip of the fifth toe than the metatarsophalangeal joint position thereof.

Described are uppers for a shoe, particularly a sports shoe. The upper includes a plurality of first portions for receiving at least one toe of the foot, wherein the first portions can be moved substantially independently of each other and wherein the first portions comprise knitwear.

Described are uppers for a shoe, particularly a sports shoe. The upper includes a plurality of first portions for receiving at least one toe of the foot, wherein the first portions can be moved substantially independently of each other and wherein the first portions comprise knitwear.

A piece of footwear for use in physical activities 500 comprising: a sole 504 comprising one or more protrusions 505 for engaging with the ground; an upper 503 attached to the sole 504; a plurality of pockets 605 each for receiving a toe and wherein there is provided a connecting portion 607 located between two or more of the pockets 605.

A piece of footwear for use in physical activities 500 comprising: a sole 504 comprising one or more protrusions 505 for engaging with the ground; an upper 503 attached to the sole 504; a plurality of pockets 605 each for receiving a toe and wherein there is provided a connecting portion 607 located between two or more of the pockets 605.

A protective plate for footwear provides protection that is flexible. A protective plate may include a forefoot plate having a ball, middle and lateral section that are configured to move and flex to enable a better feel on uneven terrain. A protective plate may extend from the forefoot to the heel and include a midfoot protective plate and a heel protective plate. Sections of the protective plate are hinged or separated to allow for a greater degree of independent movement of the three main groups of muscles and bones in the forefoot in response to walking, hiking and running on various terrain. A separate insole is described that incorporates the forefoot protection plate and that can be inserted into and removed from footwear in order to provide additional protection as needed. A shoe including outer-sole, midsole and upper, are also described having a flexible protective plate.

A sole or insole for an orthopedic shoe for persons with hallux valgus. The sole or insole includes a main part located at least under and supporting the Digitis Pedis II to V and the ball of the foot, and an element movably connected to the main part that is located under and supports the Digitis Pedis I. The main part of the sole or insole includes a cavity under the Digitis Pedis II to V and/or the transverse arch of the foot that contains a hydraulic, mechanical, pneumatic, electric or other device that causes rotary movement of the moveable element in the horizontal plane laterally away from the main part during a walking movement, in particular caused by the compressive force caused by the wearer's own weight on the sole or insole.

An injured musculoskeletal structure is mobilized relative to a juxtaposing support structure surface to isolate the injured musculoskeletal structure from forces transferred from adjoining musculoskeletal structures in order to alleviate pain, discomfort, inflammation, and further injury associated with such transferred forces.

A method of constructing footwear includes providing a mold having an inner cavity, injecting an expandable material into the inner cavity, removing the expandable material from the inner cavity such that the material expands to form a footwear-shaped shell having an inner cavity and at least one recessed area offset from an inner surface of the shell, and inserting a chassis within the inner cavity of the expanded shell. The chassis has one or more components adapted to protect a user's foot from injury. The insertion of the chassis within the shell permanently affixes the one or more components within the at least one recessed area of the shell.